How Can Leaders Positively Influence Their Team?

Working in a collaborative environment requires not only creation and innovation, but patience, respect, and communication. Combining these elements can take a toll on a group if there is not a strong leader to assist the team. Too many leaders demand respect from their employees right off the bat and oversee everyday tasks with little or no involvement in the group. A leader who is involved in the day-to-day activities and who isn’t afraid to roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty, however, is more likely to earn the respect of their team and gain a better understanding of how they can ensure they are leading their team effectively. A good leader is not only attentive, patient, and appreciative of employees attributes, but also gratified by the achievements of the team as a whole. To ensure leaders are positively influencing their team, these tips will assist leaders to be the best they can be.

Set Expectations

Leaders should set work ethic expectations right out of the gate and lead by example. Showing employees that they have a standard to uphold and consistently displaying a strong work ethic will define the level of performance that is expected, not just from the individuals, but from the team as a whole.

Take Risks

Every now and then, taking a risk is beneficial to challenge ideas and encourage healthy competition, both internally and for the business as a whole. Leaders that do this aren’t afraid to try new ways of completing a task or implementing a new idea and are able to intuitively sense when a new measure needs to be taken to keep operations moving efficiently.

Be Transparent

There are times when taking risks can backfire; you win some and you lose some, right? Truly great leaders know that there are times when a decision might not have been the best for the company, or the idea simply didn’t work. These leaders are able to honestly communicate with their team that they made a mistake and openly discuss a resolution or a new idea to incorporate. Allowing the team to assist in decision-making and innovation allows them to feel valued as a team member.

Share the Wealth

A bad leader will only think of themselves in terms of where they fall on the corporate ladder and don’t assist their team members in reaching success. Good leaders, however, put the needs of the team before themselves and find ways to encourage employees to reach their full potential. To do this, leaders share their knowledge with employees to allow future doors to open for their continued success.

Give Recognition

True leaders make it their mission to recognize employees for their achievements and advancements. Unlike bad leaders that only focus on themselves and their success, good leaders praise their employees. When employees receive recognition for their hard work, it fosters innovation and new ways of thinking.